As millions of people prepared to meet their fiery Mayan deaths on Friday, one man remained cool and calm. According to Vladimir Putin, Russia's president - and now apparently chief prophecy maker - the world still has 4.5 billion years to go.

"I know when the end of the world will come," Putin said with his usual confidence during a press conference yesterday. "When?" asked a nervous journalist. "In about 4.5 billion years," he replied. Sighs of relief were breathed across Russia.

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